photos: Daniel King & Fanny Garcia
From the “American Indian Wars” to the “Global War on Terror,” SURVIVING THE LONG WARS explores the multiple, overlapping histories that shape our understanding of warfare, as well as the alternative visions of peace, healing, and justice generated by diverse communities impacted by war.
Inspired by the powerful artwork of Indigenous artists responding to the “American Indian Wars” and artists of the Greater Middle East reacting to the “Global War on Terror,” the second Veteran Art Triennial & Summit focuses on how these artistic responses complicate and are entangled with the creative practices of veterans. The featured artworks, projects, programs, and exhibitions create opportunities for people to gain a deeper understanding of the impact of war.
The project began in September 2022 with a virtual scholarly seminar series at the nexus of critical ethnic studies, Native/Indigenous studies, and Middle Eastern Studies on the histories and futures of Native rebellion in relation to US militarism and warfare. The project culminated in the second Veteran Art Triennial & Summit, in spring 2023, at the Chicago Cultural Center, Hyde Park Art Center, and Newberry Library.
Now Open!
Transformative Threads at the Chicago Cultural Center
December 2023 – December 2024
The Grand Army of the Republic Hall was built as a memorial to the sacrifices of Union Civil War veterans and their families. This is an important site to consider the threads of connection that emerge between artists differently impacted by US long wars, from veterans to civilians. Through diverse approaches, the featured artists challenge colonialism, critique racism, and delve into the ways militarism is woven into daily life. Together, their artworks propose alternative ways of understanding US wars, create space for solidarity, and insist on survival.
Miridith Campbell, Adobe Walls Battle Dress
Mahwish Chishty, MQ-9/5
2023 Triennial Exhibitions
Check out all featured artists and presenters from the 2023 exhibitions held at the Chicago Cultural Center, Newberry Library, and Hyde Park Art Center.
Chicago Cultural Center: Reckon and Reimagine
March 12 – July 2, 2023
Newberry Library: Residues and Rebellions
February – May 26, 2023
Hyde Park Art Center: Unlikely Entanglements
March 16 – July 9, 2023
2023 Veteran Art Summit Highlights
Writing
2022–23 Virtual Scholarly Seminar Series
The STLW virtual scholarly seminar series began in September 2022 at the nexus of critical ethnic studies, Native/Indigenous studies, and Middle Eastern Studies on the histories and futures of Native rebellion in relation to US militarism and warfare. Learn more about each scholar and their work, plus watch select recordings of their talks.
Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, “US Settler-Colonialism: Endless War and Genocide,” September 15, 2022
Kyle T. Mays, “Indigenous Sovereignty, Black Freedom: Blackness, Indigeneity, and Kinship as Solidarity,” October 13, 2022
Laleh Khalili, “Tomahawks, Chinooks, and Geronimo: Settler Colonial Fantasies of US Navy Seals,” November 10, 2022
Harsha Walia, “Abolish Border Imperialism,” January 26, 2023
Nick C. Estes, “Operation Wounded Knee, 1973: The Militarization of Policing in Indian Country,” February 16, 2023
Kelly Hayes, “Not Our First Apocalypse: Indigenous Struggle on the Edge of Everything,” March 30, 2023
Tiffany King, “Relations of Survival: Building a Black and Indigenous Feminisms in the Midst of War,” April 13, 2023
View select recordings from the scholarly series on the STLW YouTube channel. Subscribe to stay tuned for additional content.